Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets Azadeh KIAN, Iranian-French academic at the University of Paris. They exchange on the situation in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini and the repression of women's rights protesters. After her meeting with the President, Azadeh KIAN comments on the latest news in Iran and the police attacks in Sharif University.

Brussels

EU - Iran (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

violence against women (T)

president's agenda

women's rights (T)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Azadeh KIAN, Iranian professor: arrival, roundtable and statement

Title: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Azadeh KIAN, Iranian professor - arrival, roundtable and statement

Welcome and handshake by Roberta METSOLA, EP President (2 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Azadeh KIAN - Actually, demonstrations continue in several Iranian cities. And last evening, police forces attacked University of Sharif, which is one of the most prestigious technical universities in Tehran. A number of students were beaten and a number of them, tens of them were arrested.

SOUNDBITE (English), Azadeh KIAN - This is the first time that a lot of discontent spread throughout the country. We have economic discontent. We have political discontents and cultural ones. And also, for the first time, women and their rights and their demands are at the forefront of the demonstrations and the demands of the entire population. And there are a lot of men, especially young men, who took to the streets in support of women's rights. And so this is the first time that this is happening in Iran.  <p></p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Azadeh KIAN - Unfortunately, we should be waiting for more repression from the regime. The leader just finally spoke out and he accused foreign powers, quote unquote, to be who have to have investigate in instigated sorry, foreign powers to have instigated all these revolts. And so the message was that we will continue to repress. And this is absolutely as terrible as terrifying.

SOUNDBITE (English), Azadeh KIAN - I'm here today to ask Madame la Presidente, Mrs. President, and also the representatives of the European Union to support the Iranian people's plight for democracy, for freedom and against political Islam.  <p></p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Azadeh KIAN - At this point, only symbolic support, I think, is important, but it's not enough. You know, I think that EU the EU should take really measures to show the Iranian regime that democratic societies and democratic regimes are supporting the plight of Iranian people, for democracy and for freedom.